SSAF 2015 Annual Report FINAL - University of New England · 3 Student’Services’and’Amenities’Fee’(SSAF)’ Annual’Report’’’2015’!!!University!of!New!England!!

1 Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF) Annual Report 2015

University of New England

CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION ................................................. 2

ABOUT THE SSAF ............................................... 3

FEE MANAGEMENT ........................................... 4

FUNDING PRIORITIES ......................................... 5

FEE STRUCTURE 2015 ........................................ 5

STUDENT CONSULTATION AND ENGAGEMENT . 6

SERVICES AND AMENITIES FOR STUDENTS ........ 7

FINANCIAL DATA .............................................. 13

FINANCIAL REPORT .......................................... 14

NOTES .............................................................. 16



INTRODUCTION The Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF) supports the provision of a range of non-‐academic services and facilities for students of the University of New England. This report provides a detailed financial summary of the implementation of the fee and use of funds. In 2015, a range of services and amenities were provided for on and off campus students, determined in consultation with democratically elected student representatives and the SSAF committee. Implementation of the fee was conducted in accordance with the Australian Government’s Student Services, Amenities, Representation and Advocacy Guidelines.

Highlights from 2015 • The SSAF committee coordinated and managed

the allocation of over $3.6 million in funding through a range of unique projects spread across funding types.

• Funded initiatives and projects have delivered significant services and amenities that have improved the quality of both the on-‐campus and off-‐campus student experience.

• The committee has overseen a structured and meaningful student consultation process through the annual survey, ongoing feedback, and engagement with UNESA and through the committee itself.

• The committee coordinated the implementation of a Student Survey to assist in guiding the use of funds and to ensure fee allocation responsiveness.



ABOUT THE SSAF On 11 October 2011, the Australian Parliament passed legislation allowing universities and other higher education providers to charge a fee for services and amenities of a non-‐academic nature. The Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF) is charged to students for services and amenities, such as sporting and recreational activities, employment and career advice, child care, financial advice and food services. UNE has a formal consultation process with students and their representative bodies to identify priorities for the allocation of funds generated by the student services and amenities fee. Implementation of the fee is conducted in accordance with the Australian Government’s Student Services, Amenities, Representation and Advocacy Guidelines.

The Higher Education Support Act places limits on the allowable use of funds generated through the SSAF. The SSAF is not used to support political parties, or to support the election of a person to a Commonwealth or State or Territory Parliament or local Government body. The SSAF is used for the provision of services and amenities that fall within one or a number of allowable expenditure categories. A full list of the expenditure categories is available on the UNE website. Depending on the nature of the activity, the University may deliver the services and amenities itself or contract a third party to deliver them on its behalf. A detailed list of allowable expenditure and examples are available to all students on the SSAF website.



FEE MANAGEMENT Student consultation and fund allocation is overseen by the SSAF committee, delivering expertise in the management of the fee and a vehicle for consultation with students and student representative bodies. The committee plays a pivotal role in managing the student consultation and fund allocation process. The committee is made up of a balanced membership of student representatives, UNESA and University staff that provide expertise in specific areas, including facilities management, student administration and services, operations and residential systems. The committee is chaired by the chief financial officer, reports to the University Executive and is supported by a project manager. The purpose of the SSAF committee is to: • Oversee student consultation and related

activities in line with the requirements of the Student Services, Amenities, Representation and Advocacy Guidelines.

• Serve as a forum for the University to meet with democratically elected student representatives to consider priorities for the use of Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF) revenue.

• Provide the Vice-‐Chancellor with recommendations for the distribution of SSAF revenue.

• Monitor the use of SSAF revenue against proposed priorities.

In 2015, the SSAF Committee utilized the Strategic Framework developed in 2014 to manage applications and priorities to support the achievement of SSAF objectives, including: student consultation and engagement; benefits realisation; and strategic program management.

Ongoing Medium term

Student consultation and engagement

! Communications & engagement strategy

! Annual survey ! Consultation timeline

and process ! Online form for ad hoc

feedback and ideas ! Publication of annual

fund allocations

! Increasing awareness of existing services and amenities

! Refresh online content with more user-‐oriented information and Q&A fact sheets

! Competitive market for new ideas

Benefits realisation

! Making the most of what SSAF funds have and will be been invested in

! Maximising usage of existing services and amenities

! Identify, measure and communicate positive impacts of funded services and amenities

! Review of best practice consultation

Strategic program management

! Project monitoring and controls

! Template project plans ! Fund allocation

modelling ! Business case proposals

! Process simplification ! Fee structure analysis ! Explore options for

sustainability ! Refreshed program

management plan



FUNDING PRIORITIES

Based on feedback through consultation and student surveys in 2015, the SSAF committee utilized the Strategic Framework to guide the allocation of SSAF funds to deliver a suitable mixture of immediate benefits for students and the achievement of long-‐term strategic priorities in 2015. The strategic framework includes a four-‐tier system of funding priorities: • Building robust and resilient student

engagement and elected student representation which is key to future UNE success

• Phased development of longer term strategic initiatives that align with future-‐proofing UNE's vision: "Learning without limits"

• Investment with immediate benefits, shorter term projects, and

• Clubs and Societies capacity building & otherwise open to a bidding process.

FEE STRUCTURE 2015 From 2014, off-‐campus and cross-‐institutional students were exempt from paying the fee for the full academic year. The fee was invoiced in two periods (Trimester 1 & 2 or Research Period 1 & 2) except students enrolled in a Year-‐Long Teaching Period, in which case it was invoiced once at the annual rate.

Enrolment Type Full-Time Fee 2015

Part-Time Fee 2015

Domestic On-‐Campus Coursework students

$286 $214

Domestic On-‐Campus Higher Degree Research students

$214 $160

International On-‐Campus students

$286 $214

Off-‐Campus students (100% online)

Exempt Exempt

Cross-‐institutional students Exempt Exempt



STUDENT CONSULTATION AND ENGAGEMENT UNE engaged in a range of student consultation activities to support the effective implementation of the SSAF, through genuine, meaningful and collaborative student consultation. The University continued its formal consultation process with students and their representative bodies to consider the specific uses and priorities for the allocation of student services and amenities fees. Consultation was conducted through a range of avenues, including: forums, surveys, regular feedback and the SSAF committee. The SSAF annual survey is one of a number of avenues students are able to have input to the management and allocation of SSAF and does not detract from other mechanisms for ongoing feedback. Student consultation also includes: • Publishing identified priorities and individual

projects for proposed fee expenditure and allowing opportunities to comment on those priorities by students and student associations and organisations; and meeting with democratically elected student representatives, and

• Representatives of the major student organisation at the University, to consider the priorities for use of fee revenue.

During 2015, UNE conducted an online student consultation survey to gather ideas and feedback from all students. A number of key findings were generated by the survey, including: • The top three preferences for the allocation of

the SSAF for all on-‐campus and off-‐campus students are services and amenities related to: health & welfare, employment & careers and study skills. Also ranked in the top five for on-‐campus students are finances, accommodation, legal services, food & drink, orientation, advocacy, and sport.

• Opportunities to target more specific services and amenities accessed via residential colleges, activity for on-‐campus higher degree research students and on-‐campus international students are being explored for 2015.



SERVICES AND AMENITIES FOR STUDENTS The SSAF enabled the delivered a range of benefits for students in 2015 by building on the quality and quantity of services and amenities available to students. Based on student consultation and feedback, a number of projects were continued in 2015. The SSAF committee continued its work in the allocation and management of the fee in 2015, to maximise access for students to services and amenities that increase the quality of availability of services that enhance the quality of student experience at the university. UNE enjoys a rich diversity across its total student profile. Over 82% of the total student body at UNE is enrolled off-‐campus, the majority of which study part-‐time (60%). The composition of on-‐campus students differs in many ways from the off-‐campus cohort.

Typical enrolment patterns are in reverse among international students, the majority of whom (79%) are enrolled on-‐campus, constituting 20% of all on-‐campus students. The majority (86%) of on-‐campus students study full-‐time. Course type composition differs between on and off campus students. Higher Degree Research students representing a greater portion of overall on-‐campus students (11%) than off-‐campus (2%). There is a higher concentration of undergraduate courses (79%), in contrast to (64%) of off-‐campus offerings, there is also a lower proportion of postgraduate students (10%) on-‐campus to (28%) off-‐campus.



Student spaces and facilities A range of upgrades and improvements to student spaces and facilities were delivered in 2015, providing safe and comfortable places for students to meet, collaborate and enjoy life on campus • Refurbishment of communal kitchens in

Drummond Smith, Duval, Austin and Earl Page Colleges

• Installation of BBQ and recreational facilities at Mary White College

• Installation of water refill stations across campus

• Upgrade of the Earl Page Common Room

Exam breakfasts What could be harder than exam day on an empty stomach! Funds from SSAF helped students prepare for this important part of student life through the provision of breakfasts during the exam period. Over 20 days of nutritious food was provided to students across on campus exam centres

Uni4Me Social Events A key interface with the student body, Uni4Me has continued to deliver a range of exciting student-‐led activities and social events across the calendar year. Additional support in 2015 was provided to off-‐campus internal students to assist with their integration at UNE.

The newly upgraded northern courtyard hosted many student based activities in 2015. These included Christmas in July providing some much need warmth in wintery Armidale, music in the courtyard, where a mix of paid performers and student amateurs eager to ‘have a go’ before an on-‐campus audience were able to do.

Together with supporting the social activities of the student body in 2015, Uni4Me continued to provide advocacy services to students in 2015. SSAF funding assisted hundreds of UNE student’s access advocacy services in 2015, ranging from simple enquiries to complex cases. Uni4Me also worked in conjunction with all other services providing orientation to students in 2015, with an emphasis in 2015 on supporting off-‐campus internal students.

Student orientation Orientation is an integral part in the transition to university life. Orientation planning at UNE is facilitated through the orientation committee. Thirteen (13) specific orientation activities were facilitated in 2015, all designed to assist student’s transition into tertiary study and UNE. An online orientation was also offered to every enrolled off campus students in 2015. Commencement packs were a resounding success in 2015.



These packs are designed to reinforce the aspirational aspects of becoming a UNE student and to build on the initial motivation and enthusiasm experienced by all commencing students. Practically they provide students with tools and information to help them successful launch their studies at UNE. The underlying aim of the commencement pack is to assist students establish strong early engagement with UNE. Students consistently provide positive feedback on the value of the commencement packs as they start or continue their academic journeys. Social media played a key role in keeping students updated with orientation activities in 2015. More than 100,000 clicks were received in O week in 2015 on posts uploaded to UNE’s Facebook. Support was also provided through SSAF in 2015 to enhancements to the lifesaver days, orientation catering, Uni4Me events, student-‐led activities and social events, and SSAF informational material.

Blue Shirts Volunteers Assistance was delivered for the continuation of on-‐campus activities provided to students by the Blue Shirts Volunteers program. Emphasis in 2015 was directed towards our on-‐campus International students – helping them transition to a new culture, learning environment and language.

Water fountains Fund allocations were made during 2014 for the installation of new filtered water stations around the campus to keep students hydrated and cool. Construction was finalized in 2015.

Well Fair Day The third annual Well Fair day drew together numerous Student Clubs & Societies and support agencies of the University to have active displays focussed on extracurricular activities and the general wellbeing of students.

The day also included a large-‐scale free lunch, live music, a petting zoo and multiple active amusements.

Free food always ranks highly in the annual SSAF student survey. As such the fortnightly free lunchtime BBQ’s tradition continued in 2015.

Courtyard Funds allocated for the northern courtyard refurbishment saw an improvement to the aesthetics and usage of the northern courtyard. This initiative was near completion at the end of 2015.

Clubs and societies Clubs and societies are an integral part of University life and continued to be funded through SSAF program in 2015. Clubs and societies at UNE are an excellent way for student to engage directly in the delivery of services and amenities offered on campus. Ensuring a vibrant campus and a diverse range of student activities saw UNE clubs and societies being offered three (3) opportunities to access SSAF funding in 2015 to support their endeavours.



Raising the profile and participation in clubs and societies was also a focus in 2015. Improving the capacity and good governance of clubs and societies has also been key activity in 2015 with a comprehensive range of development workshops being offered. ‘The Compass’ smartphone app designed for students as a diary, discount finder and communications app keeping them up-‐to-‐date with things relevant to their life at UNE has continued in 2015 with a base of 2,000 users.

Tune! FM One of Australia’s longest running student radio stations, Tune! FM is a pivotal part of student life at UNE. With over 80 active volunteers, 2015 saw an increase in student engagement. Improved student engagement saw an expanding listener base with Tune! FM in 2015. Many clubs and societies within UNE community hosted their own shows on Tune! FM in 2015 to promote their organisation and relay information to members. Along with the new broadcast desk funded in 2014 through SSAF several BIG software installations occurred in 2015 (MusicMaster, Phonebox, Oasis, podcasting systems). This work will be ongoing into 2016. The desk and software updates will now enable Tune! FM to harness a range of live broadcasting opportunities further contributing to the student culture of UNE.

Over the course of 2015 the number of people interacting with Tune’s Facebook posts rose to around 6-‐8,000 per week, from around 4,000 per week in 2014. On the Tune website, the stream plays automatically and there were over 20,000 hits in 2015. There are also other listeners who log on through Tune-‐In/Rad.io.

Nucleus Nucleus is the university’s student newspaper available online and in print each month. Written for students, by students the publication covers a range of issues and creative articles that distill university life. The development and publication of Nucleus is made possible with support provided by the SSAF and is made available to all students of the university. In 2015, nine editions of the Nucleus were printed, seeing an increase in the readership and contributions within the colleges. A dedicated Assistant Editor (College) saw college contributions reach an all time high, with 65% of total contributions to Nucleus emanating from the colleges in 2015.

UNE Medical Centre

Ensuring the health and welfare students at UNE remain health and welfare of students is taken care of, supporting the operation of the UNE Medical Centre is an important student service and amenity

Emergency Support An allocation for emergency financial or other support is made available to students through UNESA to deliver help and assistance for students in times of crisis



Sport & recreation Maintaining a healthy and active life is made easier and more affordable with support provided for the operation of UNE Sport and a range of supporting services and amenities for members of the gym

Supporting international students For the third consecutive year, Armidale International Association and UNE International have collaboratively delivered a series of exciting activities specifically designed for international students. Provision of swimming lessons to international female students and a photography course both proved to be hugely successful programs again offered through SSAF in 2016. Demand for both courses was high and accommodating the specific cultural needs of our international students has been an important factor in the success of these programs. Gaining a first-‐hand experience of a few of Armidale’s gorgeous natural wonders and a chance to network with other students, saw the international student social gathering project in 2016 continue with increasing popularity and appreciation by students.

PASS Study Groups SSAF funded 102 peer learning group sessions in 2016. Business, Law, Medicine, Psychology and Health were initial key offerings. Study group size varied between units (2-‐16 participants per group) and fluctuated depending on student need, often associated with assessment and exam dates.

Outcomes from PASS study Groups had dramatic effects on participating students approaches to their academic work in 2015, with 85% of students studying more regularly, 90% being more organised, 85% of students better understanding expectations and requirements of their units of study and amazingly 90% of students were better prepared for exams.

Student representation and advocacy Students can access or be a part of UNE’s Student Association, UNESA for a range of services including advocacy in matters arising under UNE’s rules.



Clubs and Societies supported by SSAF in 2015 Armidale Blues Netball Armidale International Association (AIA) ASPIRE Austin College JCR Barbarians Rugby Drummond Smith Soccer Club Duval College Netball Earle Page College Community Projects Group and Sustainability Committee Earle Page College Community Projects Group and Sustainability Committee Earle Page College Musical Society Earle Page College Netball General Practice Students Network Indigenous Students Assn International Students Assn Mary White College Netball Mature Students Association Mums@UNE New England Mountain Biking Club New England Nomads Australian Football Club New England Rural Club for Health Alliance Outdoor Adventure Club Outlaws Baseball Pharmacy Students of UNE Robb College Hockey Robb College Netball Robb College Rugby Rural Science Undergraduate Society (RSUS) St Albert's College JCR St Albert's Hockey Club

St Albert's Netball St Albert's Rugby Students for Christ Underwater Hockey UNE Archaeology Society UNE Athletics UNE Badminton UNE Cricket UNE Economics and Business Society UNE Fencing Association UNE Hockey Club UNE Law Students Society UNE Medical Students Association UNE Mens Basketball UNE Netball UNE Scuba UNE Skills Trade Society UNE Soccer UNE Surgical Society UNE Townies UNE Volleyball Club UNE Water Polo UNE Womens Basketball UNE Womens' Society Wright College and Wright Village Musicians Wright College Netball Wright College Rugby Wright Village/College Residents' Association



FINANCIAL DATA

Expenditure Food or drink

Sport and recreaoon Clubs

Child care

Employment and careers Libraries

Allocations Food or drink

Sport and recreaoon Clubs

Child care

Employment and careers Libraries

$2.3 m In services and amenities

delivered to students

25%

Increase in funding for services and amenities

47

Creative and unique projects delivered to students

$150 000

In funding for student clubs and societies



FINANCIAL REPORT 2015 Student Services and Amenities Fee Expenditure to 31st December 2014

Expenditure item 2015

Expenditure 2015

Allocations

(a) Food or drink Exam Breakfast 2,942 10,000

Uni4Me Social Events 11,765 22,000

UNE Student Social Hub -‐ 250,000

Grind & Squeeze Café Student Discount 130,000 130,000

Total Food or drink 144,707 412,000

(b) Sport and recreation Bikes & Racks -‐ 12,000

Blue Shirts 1,385 5,000

Music Courtyard 1,650 5,000

Courtyard refurbishment 150,000 150,000

SportUNE capacity building 228,000 228,000 Tune FM 105,800 130,137

Bistro Refurbishment 50,000 50,000

Sport UNE Operations Subsidy 155,000 155,000

Stro Entertainment, Security & Operations Subsidy 78,000 78,000

Residential college amenity 29,347 150,000

Total Sport and recreation 799,182 963,137

(c) Clubs

UNESA EO (FT) 101,828 102,000

Clubs & Societies 171,899 150,564 UNESA Board 85,158 109,000

UNESA Honorarium Student Website 7,800 10,400

UNESA C & S Coordinator 50,994 68,000

Refurbishment of student spaces 46,893 87,317

UNESA Honorarium (President) 20,832 25,000 Total Clubs 485,404 552,281

(d) Child care

Yarm Gwanga Child Care Centre 100,000 100,000

Total 100,000 100,000

(f) Health and welfare

Student medical care 170,000 170,000

Well Fair 12,059 26,000

UNESA Projects Emergency Fund 7,500 10,000

NightRider Bus Service 48,247 61,000

Total Health and welfare 238,876 267,000



(h) Employment and careers

Career development strategy 683 230,374

UNE Sports leadership program -‐ 40,000

UNE talks -‐ 60,000

UNE Innovation challenge and awards -‐ 50,000

Total Employment and careers 683 380,374

(n) Student media Nucleus; UNESA 91,271 99,490

SSAF Short (Informational) film -‐ 1,000

Information and communication material 1,508 3,000

Total Student media 92,779 103,490 (o) Study skills

UNE three minute thesis (3MT) competition -‐ 15,000

Expansion of pass (peer assisted study sessions) 21,758 36,000

Student Competitions and prizes 1,500 15,000

Total Study skills 23,258 66,000

(q) Advocate interests SSAF PM SPG 100,590 110,000

UNESA Independent Student Advocates 51,912 89,000 Educ badges 1,203 4,500

UNE Wireless Installation 58,038 69,139

Enhance Mary White Amenity 6,887 6,432

SSAF Diary and planners -‐ 18,000

Install Water Stations 33,190 60,000

Student Scholarships 30,000 30,000

Earle Page College Jnr Common Rm Refurb 44,970 46,200

Community Kitchens -‐ 207,500

IFAMA Conference 4,000 4,000

Total Advocate interests 330,790 644,771

(r) Orientation

Resourcing future UNE orientation progams 95,196 109,000

Total Orientation 95,196 109,000

(s) Overseas needs

AIA (Parks) 10,550 13,300

T3 activities 1,980 3,500

Closed Swimming Lessons 1,840 3,680

Photography course for International Students 1,600 1,870

Total Overseas needs 15,970 22,350

Grand Total 2,327,233 3,693,077



NOTES Care has been taken to ensure the accuracy and integrity of data contained within this report. A full copy of the 2015 Student Consultation Survey Report, and further information regarding the implementation and management of the fee is available on the UNE website, go to study > student services and amenities fee.

Contact Details Queries regarding the contents of this report should be directed to the SSAF project manager: Email: [email protected] www.une.edu.au www.une.edu.au/strategicprojects April 2016 General student enquiries should be directed to UNE Student Support by telephone: 02 6773 2897 or email at: [email protected] Please consider the environment before printing this document.

SSAF 2015 Annual Report FINAL - University of New England · 3 Student’Services’and’Amenities’Fee’(SSAF)’ Annual’Report’’’2015’!!!University!of!New!England!!

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